Luteal cells produce progesterone that supports pregnancy. Steroidogenesis requires coordination of the anabolic and catabolic pathways of lipid metabolism. In the present study, the corpus luteum (CL) in early pregnancy established from luteal phase and pregnant phase was analyzed. The first study determined progesterone changes in the bovine CL at day 19 (early maternal recognition period) and day 90 in mid-pregnancy and compared them to the CL from day 12 of the estrous cycle. CL alternation was tested using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI- TOF). Comparing CL from luteal phase to those from pregnant phase counterparts, significant changes in expression level were found in 23 proteins. Of these proteins 17 were not expressed in pregnant phase CL but expressed in luteal phase counterpart, whereas, the expression of the other 6 proteins was limited only in pregnant phase CL. Among these proteins, vimentin is considered to be involved in regulation of post-implantation development. In particular, vimentin may be used as marker for CL development during pregnancy because the expression level changed considerably in pregnant phase CL tissue compared with its luteal phase counterpart. Data from 2-DE suggest that protein expression was disorientated in mid pregnancy from luteal phase, but these changes was regulated with progression of pregnancy. These findings demonstrate CL development during mid-pregnancy from luteal phase and suggest that alternations of specific CL protein expression may be involved in maintenance of pregnancy.

The research discussed in this paper was conducted to evaluate an intensive English teacher training program (IETTP) and to consider implications for in-service English teacher education. Data was gathered from a variety of sources including trainees’ self-evaluation of their teaching and English language proficiency, feedback on sessions of the program, interviews, and documents. The analysis of the gathered data revealed that the trainees perceived their teaching improved. The comparison of the pre- and post-tests of language skills showed that the level of the trainees’ English language significantly improved. The trainees’ feedback on the program and the trainers revealed that they were satisfied with the course components, and with the trainers’ enthusiasm, materials, motivation and demonstrations. It was also found that the program management was process-focused; the evaluation was conducted on a regular basis and the results were fed back into the program. The findings of the program evaluation supported the conclusion that the trainees benefitted from the programs and that the goals of the training program were achieved at a satisfactory level in most areas. The findings provide guidelines for the further development of IETTPs, and implications for policy-making on English teacher education.

The hemipteran whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is one of the most destructive pests damaging more than 600 agricultural crop species worldwide. The B and Q biotypes are most widely spread in Korea but they are not distinguishable based on morphological characters. Carboxylesterase 2 (Coe2) was determined to be 5.9 times more expressed in B biotype compared to Q biotype. Comparison of deduced amino acid sequences of Coe2 (595 a.a.) showed a total of 3.85% polymorphisms between B and Q types but no differences in major active sites. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that both B and Q biotypes possess a single copy of coe2, suggesting that the overexpression of Coe2 in B biotype is likely due to overtranscription. To determine the putative role of Coe2 in insecticide tolerance, esterases were separated by native isoelectric focusing (IEF) and inhibited by various insecticides. The putative Coe2 band was apparently inhibited by pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides, but not by imidacloprid. These findings suggest that overexpression of Coe2 confers chemical defense against pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides, perhaps by sequestration.

Diamondback moth (DBM, Plutella xylostella L.), the most destructive pest of cruciferous crops, is well-known as typical subtropical insect pest. A number of biological agents such as diseases, parasites and predators can affect populations of DBM in the fields negatively. In previous reports, we suggested Cotesia glomerata, Diadegma semiclusum, and Microplitis plutellae as promising natural enemies to DBM control at highland areas, but these species are larval parasitoids. In 2004~2009, we searched highland fields cultivating various cruciferous crops for PUPAL parasitoids which can supplement the unsatisfactory parasitism in the augmentative release of larval parasitoids. We obtained adults of hymenopteran parasitoid from DBM pupae in early July at Hoengseong region (asl 540 m), and then identified as Diadromus sp., although being a critical species so far. This parasitoid showed high rate of parasitism, about 13.2%, in mid October at the same region. Development period from oviposition to emergence of Diadromus sp. ranged from 14 to 18 days under 23℃ condition. Adult longevity, > three weeks, was longer when it was provided with 10% sugar solution as food than with water only or without food. Male adults mated as soon as emerging from parasitized DBM pupae, and laid eggs into DBM pupae for a week. Parasitism by Diadromus sp. was highest on 7th day after emergence. In contrast, lethality of DBM pupae which were not parasitized by wasps showed 60% on average for seven days. Parasitized DBM pupae could be stored at 10℃ for two weeks. The simultaneous augmentative release of larval parasitoids and pupal parasitoids can be an important component to integrated DBM management program in the future.

This study examined the effects of red light generated from a light emitting diode (LED) upon proliferation and mitochondrial stress in human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs). Cells were exposed to LED-generated red light at a clinically relevant intensity and distance with a 610-630 nm wavelength for various times (0-48 min). At different exposure times, cells were processed for the analysis of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, proliferation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and cytotoxicity. Cell cycle progression was also investigated by flow cytometry after staining with propidium iodide. Red light exposure was found to inhibit SDH activity and DNA synthesis in hGFs in a time-dependent manner. Light exposure also reduced the MMP levels in these cells and this was closely associated with a G0/G1 arrest. In contrast, exposure of hGFs to red light for 48 min led to a dramatic loss of MMP with an attendant increase in cytotoxicity. These findings demonstrate that LED-generated red light may cause mitochondrial stress and growth inhibition in hGFs during tooth whitening therapy, depending on the length of the exposure.

The hemipteran whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is one of the most destructive pests damaging more than 600 agricultural crop species worldwide. The B and Q biotypes are most widely spread in Korea but they are not distinguishable based on morphological characters. In order to search for protein markers that can be employed for rapid and accurate diagnosis of biotypes, two-dimensional PAGE (2DE) in conjunction with mass spectroscopic analysis were conducted. Eleven biotype-specific spots were repeatedly identified during three repetitions of 2DE and analyzed by Q-TOF. One of the B type-specific protein spots was identified as carboxylesterase 2 (Coe2). The transcript level of coe2 was determined to be 6 times higher in B type than in Q type by quantitative real-time PCR. In addition, comparison of genomic DNA sequence of coe2 between B and Q types identified a biotype-specific intron, from which specific primer sets were designed. One-step PCR using these biotype-specific primers successfully distinguished the two biotypes in a high accuracy. Availability of the biotype-specific protein and DNA markers will greatly improve the detection of B. tabaci biotype in the field.

An outbreak of Ussur Brown Katydid, Paratlanticus ussuriensis, occurred in the orchard areas of central Korea during 2006 and 2007. These crickets occur widely in Korea but before 2000 they were not regarded as an agricultural pest and were mainly confined to wooded hillsides. In an attempt to understand this katydid ecology, firstly, we have conducted a life cycle study of the Ussur brown katydid. This katydid spends one or two years as an egg stage. Most of eggs enter the initial diapause, which take place in stage 4. Less than 10% eggs didn't occur the initial diapause and developed until in stage 23 before beginning winter season. In the laboratory experiment, diapause depends on the initial temperature after eggs laid. They had an initial and final diapause around less 25℃. Therefore, it takes two years to hatch at low temperature. On the other hand, eggs are kept at temperatures around over 27℃, entry into the first diapause stage was circumvented and eggs emerged the following spring. That is, the high temperature seems to affect on the life cycle of Katydid. Thus, if they are exposed to high temperature on early egg stage, they emerge next year just after spending a winter.

A level of dietary iron may play a role in colon carcinogenesis. The effect of dietary iron on colon carcinogenesis was investigated in male ICR mice. Five-week old mice were acclimated for one week and fed on iron-normal diet (35 ppm Fe), iron-deficient diet (3 ppm), or iron-overloaded diet (350 ppm Fe) for 8 weeks. Animals received three (0-2^nd weeks after starting experiment) injections of azoxymethane (AOM; 10 mg/kg b.w.) to induce colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF). There were five experimental groups including normal control without AOM, AOM+iron-normal diet (AOM+NFe), AOM+iron-deficient (AOM+LFe), AOM+ironoverloaded diet (AOM+HFe) groups. The total numbers of ACF and aberrant crypt (AC) were measured in the colonic mucosa after staining with methylene blue. The blood and serum were analyzed with a blood cell differential counter and an automatic serum analyzer. The hepatic iron levels were significantly dependent on the presence of iron in the diets. Iron-deficient diet significantly decreased the several hematological values. The values of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvate transaminase (GPT) were also significantly decreased in iron-overloaded or iron-deficient diet groups, compared with normal iron diet group. Dietary iron-deficiency decreased the numbers of ACF (64.9) and AC (79.8) per colon by 20.6 and 21.8%, respectively, compared with AOM+NFe group (72.4 ACF/colon and 90.3 AC/colon). However, ironoverloaded diet increased ACF (82.9) and AC (96.0) induction by AOM, compared with normal iron diet. These results suggest that dietary iron can affect the colon carcinogenesis in the animal model of mice.

A full genomic DNA microarray technique was employed to investigate the effects of Dongchunghacho on aortal and hepatic gene expression in apolipoprotein E knockout mice fed a high-fat/high-cholesterol diet. Male 8- week - old ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into two groups, control(high cholesterol group; HC) and supplementation of Dongchunghacho (SD). All of the mice were fed a high-fet/high cholesterol diet with or without Dongchunghacho supplemented by 1% for 6 weeks. At first, lipid profile of the Dongchunghacho was measured by biochemical analysis. No differences were observed in serum triglyceride and total cholesterol levels between the two groups. Antigenotoxic effect of the Dongchunghacho was measured by the single cell gel electrophoresis assay (Comet assay) and quantified as % fluorescence in tail. Dongchunghacho supplementation decreased significantly leukocytic DNA damage and also there was a tendency of reduction in hepatic DNA damage in Dongchunghacho group compared with the control group. In up regulated genes in liver and aorta of the mice, genes with 0 to 2- fold difference in expression level between the two group (HD and SD) was very much more in liver than in aorta, on the contrary, those with 2-fold to 16-flod difference increased greatly rather in aorta than in liver. Also, almost the same results were observed in down regulated genes in liver and aorta between the two groups. These results suggested that supplementation of Dongchunghacho might be helpful in preventing leukocytic DNA damage induced by high fat diet, and has a more crucial roles in aortal gene expression.

Members of Sparassidae of Araneae are small to large sized (3-25mm) huntsman spiders (Jäger 1999). In Korea, there have been recorded 5 species, Heteropoda venatoria (Linnaeus, 1767), Micrommata virescens (Clerck, 1757), Sinopoda koreana (Paik, 1968), Sinopoda stellatops Jäger & Ono, 2002 and Thelcticopis severa (L.Koch, 1875), belonging to 3 genera (Paik, 1968, 1978, Namkung, 2002, 2003, You and Kim, 2002). In the course of survey for the spider fauna of Mt. Sobaek (1,439m elevation) located in Punggi-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do during 2007 to 2008, one of the 16 National Parks in Korea, 2 matured females of Sinopoda forcipata (Karsch,1881) which has been known to distribute in China and Japan were collected by pitfall traps. S.forcipata is a newly recorded species for the Korean spider fauna. Female of S.forcipata was described with some natural history including vertical distribution at mountain and seasonal fluctuation, and compared distribution and habitat of 3 Korean Sinopoda species referring former reports from Korea.

This study was conducted to explore if the ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) can be used as an indicator classifying habitat types. Thirteen land use types were selected as survey sites in Jeonju. Ground beetles were collected by 3 pitfall traps (15 cm diameter) for each site from June 20 to September 22, 2008. Pitfall traps were replaced at one month interval. Total 919 ground beetles of 31 species belonging to 17 genera were collected. Land use types were classified and ordinated by two-way indicator species analysis and detrended correspondence analysis. Land use types were classified and ordinated into two major groups, forest and non-forest, by Synuchus nitidus and Dolichus halensis. Two major groups were subdivided into 4 end groups; forest, riverside, upland and other sites. Other sites group including 4 sites; levee, public garden, outfield and manufacturing area were not coincided with land use types. Nevertheless, ground beetles appear to be used as indicators of habitat types.

Reparative dentine formation requires newly differentiated odontoblast-like cells. Therefore, identification of the molecule that stimulates the odontogenic differentiation of precursor cells in the tooth pulp will be helpful for the development of strategies to repair damaged pulp. In this study, we examined the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on the odontogenic differentiation of MDPC-23 cells, a mouse odontoblast-like cell line derived from dental papilla, and primary cultured rat dental papilla cells (RDPCs). NAC (1-30 mM) suppressed production of reactive oxygen species in MDPC-23 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Although 5 to 20 mM NAC did not alter MDPC-23 cell proliferation, 1 or 30 mM NAC significantly inhibited it. NAC enhanced mineralized nodule formation and the expression of several odontoblast differentiation-associated genes in both RDPCs and MDPC-23. This NAC stimulatory effect was significant, even at concentrations lower than 1 mM. However, NAC did not stimulate expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2, -4, or -7, which are known to enhance odontogenic differentiation. Since reactive oxygen species are also involved in the pulp toxicity of resin-based restorative materials, these results suggest that NAC may be a promising candidate for supplementation of dental restorative materials in order to enhance reparative dentine formation.